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HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Award Recipients Generally Met All Core Activities and Benchmarks

Announced on  | Last Modified on  | Project Number: A-06-23-07000
Status
Completed
Agency
Health Resources and Services Administration

OBJECTIVE

The opioid crisis has impacted rural communities where barriers to treatment services limit access to care. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a multiyear initiative that addresses the barriers to treatment for substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder. RCORP works toward HHS's goal of ending the opioid epidemic and is supported through the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. In 2019, HRSA awarded $8.3 million to 12 eligible rural hospitals, clinics, and Tribal organizations through its RCORP-Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Expansion grant to support establishing or expanding MAT in rural communities. The Notice of Funding Opportunity outlined core activities and set three proposed benchmarks the grant recipients were required or expected to meet during the 3-year grant period. We will review the 12 recipients of RCORP-MAT Expansion grants to determine whether the recipients met the required core activities and proposed benchmarks within the grant period.

TIMELINE

  • June 26, 2023
    Announced
  • September 26, 2025
    Complete

    HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Award Recipients Generally Met All Core Activities and Benchmarks has been marked as complete. Report Published

REPORT PUBLISHED

HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program Award Recipients Generally Met All Core Activities and Benchmarks (A-06-23-07000)
  • Ten of the 12 award recipients implemented all 5 required core activities, and 2 award recipients implemented 4 of the 5 required core activities.
  • Ten award recipients met two of the three proposed benchmarks, and two award recipients met only one of the three proposed benchmarks. We were unable to determine whether any of the award recipients met the proposed benchmark to increase the number of unique patients.
  • Award recipients reported challenges in establishing or expanding their MAT programs in rural communities, including lack of transportation, hiring and retaining staff, the COVID-19 pandemic, and lack of recovery housing.
No recommendations were issued as a part of this report.
Work Plan Type
Office of Audit Services
HHS Agencies
Health Resources and Services Administration
Issue Areas
Public Health Issues Substance Abuse Disorder
Target Groups
-
Financial Groups
Grants